Hiring an aluminum fence installer comes down to a few checks you can make in an afternoon: a valid Virginia contractor license, proof of insurance and a written, itemized contract. After that, compare how each company handles aluminum specifically, from panel quality to slopes, permits and utility marking.
Below are 14 factors we’d weigh if we were the homeowner. Use them to compare quotes side by side, so the lowest price doesn’t hide a weak spot.
Credentials to Check Before Hiring an Aluminum Fence Installer
1. A Valid Virginia Contractor License
In Virginia, a contractor needs at least a Class C license for all but the smallest jobs, according to the DPOR contractor licensing summary. So ask for the license number before you sign anything.
Then look it up. The DPOR consumer guide to hiring a contractor tells homeowners to verify license status and check for past disciplinary actions using the state’s License Lookup tool.
2. Liability Insurance and Workers’ Comp
Ask for a certificate of insurance that shows general liability coverage. If the company has employees, ask for proof of workers’ compensation too. Then call the agent listed on the certificate to confirm the policy is current. That way, if a worker gets hurt or an auger hits your irrigation line, their policy responds instead of yours.
3. Reviews, References and Complaint History
Read recent reviews on Google and the BBB, and look for patterns rather than one angry post. Do reviewers mention crews showing up on time, clean job sites and fences that still look straight a year later? Also ask for two or three addresses of aluminum fences the company installed, so you can drive by and look at the posts and gates yourself.
4. Real Aluminum Fence Installer Experience
Aluminum panels come pre-made and powder coated, so post spacing has to match the panel width closely. Ask how often the company installs aluminum and whether it has photos of recent jobs. Look for straight lines, even post heights and gates that swing true, like our aluminum fence build for a Richmond home.
Questions to Ask an Aluminum Fence Contractor About the Fence
5. Panel Quality and Manufacturer
Ask which manufacturer makes the panels, which product line you’re getting and whether it’s residential or commercial grade. Heavier pickets and rails resist dents and sagging better, while a quality powder coat holds its color longer. Then ask for the manufacturer’s warranty in writing, since terms vary between brands.
6. Style, Height and Color Choices
A good installer will show you several styles, such as flat top, pressed spear or finial top, and explain the height options for each. Black is a popular finish, and many product lines also come in bronze or white. You can browse common styles on our aluminum fence installation page.
7. Gates Built Into the Fence Plan
Gates get the most use, so they need the most attention. Ask where each gate will go, how wide it will be and what hinges and latches come with it. A walk gate for a mower or a double drive gate for a trailer should be part of the fence plan from the start.
8. Pool and Pet Requirements
If the fence will enclose a pool, it has to meet barrier rules. The CPSC pool barrier guidelines call for a barrier at least 48 inches tall with self-closing, self-latching gates. Virginia’s building code also requires a permit for a fence used as a swimming pool barrier. Our guide to Virginia pool fence regulations has the details.
For small dogs, ask about puppy pickets, which add extra pickets along the bottom of each panel. Our post on the best fence for dogs compares other options.
9. Slopes and Uneven Ground
Many aluminum panels can rack, which means they angle to follow a gentle slope. Steeper grades usually need stepped panels instead, and those leave triangle gaps at the bottom. So ask which method fits your yard and how the installer will close gaps if you have a pet or a pool.
How an Aluminum Fence Installer Handles Permits and Digging
10. Local Codes, Permits and HOA Approval
Your installer should know your county’s height limits and setback rules and tell you whether you need a permit. If you live in an HOA, get written approval before any work starts. Our guide to installing a fence in an HOA walks through that process.
11. Utility Marking Before Digging
Every post hole means digging, and Virginia 811 says anyone breaking ground should contact it at least three working days ahead. Ask who submits the ticket and whether the crew will wait until every utility has marked its lines. Also point out any private lines you know about, like irrigation or power to a detached garage.
12. Property Lines and Surveys
A fence built a foot onto your neighbor’s land can turn into a costly dispute. Ask how the installer confirms the line, and pull out your plat or survey before layout day. Read more about Virginia fence rules on property lines and building a fence on an easement.
What an Aluminum Fence Contractor’s Contract Should Cover
13. A Written, Itemized Contract and a Fair Deposit
The DPOR guide notes that licensed contractors must provide a signed, written contract for residential work. Make sure yours lists the fence style, height, linear footage, gates, old fence removal, cleanup, start and finish dates and the total price.
Watch the deposit too. For most jobs, DPOR suggests a small initial deposit: no more than 10% of the contract, or a set dollar cap if that is less. If the job needs custom or special-order items, it suggests no more than 30%. And don’t pay 100% until the work is 100% complete. For a sense of pricing, see our aluminum fencing cost guide, or ask about fence financing if you’d like to spread out payments.
14. Warranty, Timeline and Follow-Up
Ask what the installer’s workmanship warranty covers and for how long, and get it in writing along with the manufacturer’s warranty. Then ask for a realistic timeline, how the company handles weather delays and who your contact person will be. Finally, ask what happens if a gate sags or a post shifts after the crew leaves.
Get a Quote From a Local Aluminum Fence Contractor
When you’re hiring an aluminum fence installer, put these 14 factors to work on every quote, including ours. Good Neighbor Fence has been family owned since 2006 and has earned 400+ five-star Google reviews. We build aluminum fences across Central Virginia, from Richmond and Chesterfield to Henrico, Hanover and Mechanicsville. Request a fast, free quote or call (804) 737-4664 to get started.
